I agree, big cubes mild head engine = long life, mild natured, tall gears, massive torque, strong street motor. I had a mild head work, mild cam, 10-1 .030, 4bbl 455 olds with 2.29 gears in a 3200# car. It was outstanding from 25 mph and walked the dog up to 150. Just cruising along stroking out that torque and purring like a dream, running 125 at 4k, passing everyone but the gas station. It lasted 5 years of perpetual day and night street abuse. Till I ran it out of oil while racing (oil gauge leaking at the block nipple). I shifted at max 5k typically cause it ran out of wind right there.
